At the beginning of the year, Polestar released a comprehensive facelift for the 2024 model year of the 2, including new e-motors and more powerful batteries. Variants with a single-motor switched to rear-wheel drive, analogous to the electric drive system update for the Volvo models XC40 and C40, technically a twinned model.

There’s one big difference: the Polestar models have more power than the Volvos. The release of the final specs shows important deviations from the info Polestar released earlier.

The WLTP-certified range figures give the new Polestar 2 Single Motor Long Range an edge over the Tesla Model 3 Long Range. Autonomy for the Chinese Swede rises by 22%, translating into 654 kilometers on a full charge (up from 635 kilometers).

The best-performing Model 3, of which a new version will be released soon, reaches 602 kilometers. Range on the Standard Single Motor model of the Polestar 2 has been finalized at 532 instead of 518 kilometers. As for the Long Range Dual Motor, the range remains 592 kilometers, as previously released.

Smart Zone grille

The 2 received a small update already in 2023 with new rims and paint options, but the 2024 model range features significant changes to the design: the front grille, previously in black, is replaced by a so-called ‘Smart Zone’ in body color.

There are also some changes to the standard equipment. Driver assistance systems such as Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Steering Assist, Cross Traffic Alert with Brake Assist and Rear Collision Warning and Mitigation, as well as the 360-degree Surround View Camera and auto-dimming exterior mirrors, are now standard. Wireless charging for mobile phones now is also standard on all variants.

‘Below the surface’

The first deliveries of the 2024 Polestar 2  are expected in the third quarter of 2023. Prices will start at €51 200. Until now, some 100 000 Polestar 2 have been produced.

“Typically in the car industry, a facelift introduces superficial visual changes that often destroy the original intention of the car’s design theme,” says Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath, a former car designer at Volvo.

“With the new model year Polestar 2, we rather went below the surface with a substantial upgrade of technical and mechanical components of the electric drivetrain. This is the best Polestar 2 yet, and with the updated front design with the new SmartZone, the best looking one, too.”

RWD, more power

Concerning technical data, Polestar doesn’t follow Volvo’s playbook. The new permanent magnet motor in the Polestar 2 has an output of up to 220 kW (against 185 kW at Volvo). Previously it was 165 or 170 kW in the single-motor variants with front-wheel drive, depending on the battery.

The new motor now drives the rear wheels. In addition, the maximum torque increases from 330 to 490 Nm. The acceleration from 0-100 kph is reduced by 1,2 seconds to 6,2 seconds.

The power output of the dual-motor variant (all-wheel-drive) also increases thanks to a rebalanced driveline. The new rear engine is the primary drive source and is supported on the front axle by a new asynchronous motor. This allows for a higher total system output of 310 kW, up from the original 300 kW. With the optional Performance Package, it remains at 350 kW. Here, the acceleration time to 100 kph is 4,5 or 4,2 seconds.

Joakim Rydholm, Head of Chassis Development at Polestar, points out that the torque distribution ratio between the front and rear axles has also been recalibrated for the dual-motor variants (with now 740 instead of 660 Nm of torque).

This and the switch to rear-wheel drive on the single-motor variants give the Polestar 2 “a more playful and agile character”. “It retains its compactness and sense of control while becoming more mature with greater comfort,” he added.

Larger batteries, quicker charging

There are also changes to the battery options: the long-range variants now feature 82-kWh batteries from CATL with 27 modules. The battery for the standard range versions now has a capacity of 69 kWh with 24 modules and is supplied by LGES. Previously, it was the other way around: the large battery with 78 kWh was equipped with LG cells, and the smaller battery (64 kWh) was based on CATL cells.

Larger batteries and a more efficient drive layout give better (WLTP) range figures. The basic variant (Standard Range Single Motor) now reaches up to 518 km, a 40 km increase. The most powerful model, the Long Range Dual Motor with Performance Package, reaches 592 km, according to the preliminary figures.

That’s an impressive 105 km more than before, and it is because the asynchronous front motor can now be switched off when not needed. The model with the most extended range is the rear-wheel-drive Long Range Single Motor. It can travel up to 635 km (+84) according to WLTP standards.

The bigger batteries can also be charged faster. For CATL’s new long-range battery, Polestar specifies up to 205 kW, which is the maximum for a 400-volt system at the current CCS charging stations. The previous maximum was 150 kW.

The smaller battery pack can now be charged with up to 135 kW at its peak, compared to 115 kW. Polestar doesn’t mention the charging times (10 to 80%) in its press release.